WELL-respected Burnley headteacher Christopher Meehan has lost his brave battle against cancer.

The 52-year-old head of St Theodore's RC High School was diagnosed two years ago and had been undergoing treatment, but in the last 12 months it became clear that he had lost the fight.

Acting head-teacher, deputy head, John Barrow said: "Although it was expected it is still a shock. He died very peacefully.

"He will be remembered for his charisma and the caring, professional nature. He was able to bring the school forward over the five years he was head. He always wanted the school to develop, particularly its sporting links, and we are in the final stages of our Lottery bid for a new sports hall.

"We would like to dedicate the building to his memory because it was his efforts that made the bid possible.

"It is such a sad thing that he will not be here to see it completed because he was the driving force behind the application."

Mr Meehan, who lived with his wife Mary in Briercliffe, was a deputy head at a Catholic school in West Sussex before taking over at St Theodore's from Gerry Martland in 1993.

The couple have five children, Catherine and Angela are at University, Elizabeth is at St Hilda's High School and John and David are in the sixth form and year 11 at St Theodore's.

The school choir will sing at the Requiem Mass for Mr Meehan at St John's RC Church, Burnley, at 1pm on Friday before cremation at Burnley Crematorium.

The funeral will be attended by representatives from the school, diocese and feeder primary school.

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